Tao Te Ching 8

In this particular day I shall interpret a verse from the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, namely verse 8.  In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy, Wing Tsit Chan presents the verse:

“8.  The best (man) is like water.

Water is good; it benefits all things and does not

compete with them.

It dwells in (lowly) places that all disdain.

This is why it is so near to Tao.

[The best man] in his dwelling loves the earth.

In his heart, he loves what is profound.

In his associations, he loves humanity.

In his words, he loves faithfulness.

In government, he loves order.

In handling affairs, he loves competence.

In his activities, he loves timeliness.

It is because he does not compete that he is without reproach. “ ¹

Firstly, let us discuss the theme of the verse.  The theme of the verse revolves around humility, which is one of the values which Lao Tzu wishes one to practice in his life.  For Lao Tzu, having humility in one’s life gives him that signal that he had exceeded his advancement.  Humility gains its importance in a sense that it gives the individual the sign that he is going against his nature.  This “going against nature” is depicted in the very action of arrogance from the individual.  Being arrogant makes one overdo something, in a sense that he forces his capabilities to the limit for the sake of his ego.  This is turn, gives negative results, may it be in the physical or mental aspect.  Being humble makes an individual know where to stop, and with this knowledge he can avoid injury and take care of his well-being. 

Let us observe this as we go over the verse.  Let us first discuss the first five lines in the verse.

“The best (man) is like water.

Water is good; it benefits all things and does not

compete with them.

It dwells in (lowly) places that all disdain.

This is why it is so near to Tao.”

The important metaphor in these lines would be water.  Water, for the ancient Chinese philosophers was one of the sources wherein they get their teachings about morals.  This is quite rational, for water has qualities which depict a moral person.  An example of this is its being beneficial.  Water is widely used for bathing, cooking, cleaning, drinking and sustaining farms.  Water cleanses and washes away dirt.  It symbolizes life.  Another characteristic of it is that it flows.  It adapts to any shape of any container you put, and it flows to whatever direction you make.  Therefore the “best man” is “like water” for he never goes against the course of nature.  He does this by not overdoing things.  It is in this sense that he “does not compete” with everything around him.  The notion of humility is observed in the very action of the individual to not overdo things and be contented in his current situation.  Although this option is not preferred by many, it fulfills the individual’s life in a sense, for it makes him be himself.  It makes him be himself for he freely does his natural actions.  It makes him be himself for he did not go over his natural capabilities.  It is because of this humble action that the individual is “near to Tao”.  He is near to Tao, for he embraced his nature.

Now we move on to the last lines in the verse.

“In his heart, he loves what is profound.

In his associations, he loves humanity.

In his words, he loves faithfulness.

In government, he loves order.

In handling affairs, he loves competence.

In his activities, he loves timeliness.

It is because he does not compete that he is without reproach.”

In these lines, the notion of humility is observed in the very action of “loving” itself.  Loving things imply that one does not “compete” with them.  When one “loves” a certain concept, thing, or even another person, he does not go against it.  He just enjoys his moment and time with that particular concept, thing, or person.   In other words, he is simply basking on the natural course of things.   In this attitude he never angers anybody, nor invokes disdain.   He never causes disappointment or any other negative response, for he never overdoes anything.  He never makes out of his way to make himself look arrogant. It is in this sense that an individual is “without reproach”.  With this action, one can live his life prudently.  He lives his life with prudence and with this he can be more fulfilled as a person as he lives on. 

Lao Tzu emphasizes humility to be one of the values that an individual must develop in order to live a prudent life.  This is because it is in humility that one can appreciate more his natural capabilities.  It is in humility that one can be able to see the extent of his abilities, thus not going further to that extent.   When one has humility, he is more close to Tao.   In being humble, one is reunited with his nature.  It is in this unity that one can live a happy and contented life.   

Source:

   1.       Wing Tsit Chan, “The Natural Way of Lao Tzu”, (United States: Princeton University Press, 1963), In In A Source Book In Chinese Philosophy,143.